Nestle releases new forest protection policy

Swiss-based food giant Nestle has announced it will work in conjunction with a non-profit organisation, launching a probe into the suppliers of its palm oil to see if they are destroying the rainforest or affecting wildlife to produce the oil.

This will come as a sweet victory for Greenpeace, who have been campaigning for some time now to convince Nestle to do more to protect the rainforests where its palm oil is sourced.

Nestle said that The Forest Trust will be helping it formulate guidelines for its palm oil purchases.

The company had already cancelled its direct business contacts with palm oil supplier Sinar Mas, which was widely linked to rainforest destruction in south-east Asia.

To comply with the guidelines, Nestle will be committed to the preservation of peatlands in Malaysia and Indonesia, which is where the majority of the palm oil plantations are being expanded.

Nestle has also pledged to support local and indigenous communities in the areas.

Posted by Jason Webster